Into The Weekend: Lemons to Aid Benefitting West and Boston, Cindy Sherman at The DMA, Earth Day Dallas, Family Day at The Meadows Museum, and Some Kite Flying

The weekend is upon us, and from helping the citizens of West and Boston to flying a kite in the sunshine or making a Cindy Sherman-inspired self portrait at the DMA, there’s no shortage of stellar things to do over the next few days.

Late Night at the Dallas Museum of Art
Tonight from 6 p.m.-midnight, the DMA celebrates Cindy Sherman’s first retrospective in 15 years with a Late Night event devoted to the groundbreaking artist. Take in some live music, snap a pic in the Cindy Sherman-inspired photo booth, and then take the littles to the Center for Creative Connections (C3) where they can learn block printing techniques and create Sherman-esque self-portraits. General admission is free, but some special exhibitions require a ticket.

Lemons to Aid at Luke’s Locker Benefitting West, TX and Boston
Tomorrow pack up the crew and head to Luke’s Locker on Mockingbird between 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. when children from (the fantastic) Lemons to Aid will be selling lemonade for donations to help victims of the recent tragedies in West, TX and Boston. All of the funds will be sent directly to the American Red Cross, and everyone who makes a donation will receive a “PUCKER UP!” pay it forward bracelet. There will also be a station for people to decorate cards for the victims and their families..

SMU Family Day at Meadows Museum and Pettus Practice Field
Also on Saturday, SMU is hosting a Family Day featuring activities for both art aficionados and sports enthusiasts. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Meadows Museum, young artists can watch performances by the the dancers of I Colori and strolling musicians, take Italian lessons on the museum lawn, make a Venetian carnival mask, sample Italian gelato, and search for European landmarks on a scavenger hunt through the museum exhibit “Impressions of Europe: 19th-Century Vistas by Martín Rico,” before painting landscapes en plain air.

Or, from 9:00 a.m.-noon, young sports fans can sample an SMU Mustang football practice and meet current players, Mustangs in the NFL, and Coach June Jones at the Mustang Fan Fair at the Pettus Practice Field adjacent to Meadows Museum. Kids aged 6 through eighth grade also may compete in an official NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick competition (Bring a birth certificate and wear soft-soled gym shoes for the free competition).

Both events are free, and parking also is free in Meadows Museum parking garage.

Earth Day DallasOn Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. celebrate Mother Nature with the free Earth Day Dallas event in Fair Park. There will be crafts for the kids, free yoga, educational short films, lectures from prominent green advocates and experts, as well as tasty organic eats (+ beer and wine for the grown-ups).

Kite Flying at Dallas Heritage Village
Then on Sunday from noon-4 p.m. head to Dallas Heritage Village and let the kiddos practice their kite-flying skills. Bring a kite from home or make your own and find out who can get it to fly longest or go the highest. The event is free for kids, and you can buy adult tickets online for $9.

Zhen Music and Arts Institute Spring Art Show
After you’re done flying kites, head to Zhen Music and Arts Institute on Inwood for the 4 p.m. opening of their spring art show, “Wonders,” featuring works from local artists Beth Gandy (painting), Amy Titus (pottery), and Rebecca Bell Wilson (photography). It’s a great way to support local artists, and since you’ll be a stone’s throw away, you can grab a family style feast at Celebration after the opening.